The U.S. Department of Education is responsible for establishing policies, administering federal assistance, and promoting educational excellence and equal access to education. It also collects data, conducts research, and recommends reforms to improve the education system. Its mission is to promote student achievement and global competitiveness, and it administers programs for elementary, secondary, higher, vocational, adult, special, and bilingual education. Additionally, the department disseminates information on America's schools.